Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 16 March 2021
16 Mar 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Covid-19
One of the difficult things with the virus on an on-going basis is that, even as we get its prevalence and incidence down—as I hope that we will—we will see outbreaks. Unfortunately, those outbreaks will sometimes affect schools and nurseries. Even if they are not in the schools or nurseries, people associated with them will be affected, and those outbreaks will need to be managed in line with all the protocols, guidance and correct mitigations. I know that that will be difficult for parents and young people, but it will continue, unfortunately, to be a feature of dealing with the virus. However, the more we suppress community transmission, the more we will reduce the possibility of outbreaks.
We have already published a suite of comprehensive guidance on mitigations to reduce risk in schools, and that is supported by regular at-home testing for pupils and all staff in secondary schools, which should further reduce the risk of outbreaks. Hopefully, as community transmission continues to fall, so, too, will the number of young people affected in school-related outbreaks.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Nicola Sturgeon on Covid-19. The First Minister will take questions at the end of her statement, and I encourage ...
The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
My statement will set out our next steps out of lockdown and back towards a way of life that is much closer to normality. I intend to set out in some detail ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, First Minister. We turn to questions.
Ruth Davidson (Edinburgh Central) (Con)
Con
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The First Minister
SNP
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Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
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The First Minister
SNP
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Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
The fact that we are in a position to start planning to reopen things and get our lives back will be welcomed by everyone. As always, the Scottish Greens sup...
The First Minister
SNP
There will be a gradual return of students to further and higher education and we will use lateral flow testing as appropriate and in a targeted way to suppo...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
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The First Minister
SNP
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Annabelle Ewing (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
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Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
When will the Scottish Government publish updated guidance on restrictions that are contained in the tier system, especially the restrictions in level 0?
The First Minister
SNP
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Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
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Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
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SNP
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Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
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Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
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The First Minister
SNP
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John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
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David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
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The First Minister
SNP
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Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
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Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Does today’s framework announcement confirm that we are moving out of lockdown nationally at the same pace, with no scope for local easing? Can the First Min...